Vallarta Cares
So, the ‘gorgeous’ day yesterday unleashed the heaviest rainfall I have heard since I moved into this house 11 or 12 years ago. I have quite a few acrylic panels on my roof that let in wonderful light, but blazing sun and other elements eat that stuff like candy. I can see daylight popping through in a half dozen new places this morning, and my floors are dotted with rags. I foresee this weekend being full of ladder work, armed with bright green duct tape!
At least 40 people turned out to support Vallarta Cares last night at the fundraiser at The Social Club PV on Basilio Badillo. If you are yearning for a glimpse into Prohibition and want a dimly-lit place to go to, perhaps with seduction in mind, then steer your date up the sharp incline of the staircase and step into the strangely intimate space that is Vallarta’s only speakeasy.
The only thing missing from the ambiance is a heavy veil of mostly cigar smoke (for which we were grateful because it IS intentionally close). The no-nonsense waiters wear white, tight, wife-beaters held in place by suspenders. They are competent and efficient but not warm and fuzzy. They add a touch of urgency – get the drinks out fast and be ready to run if the coppers show up!
Owner Bryan showed me around the warren of rooms that are crammed with antiques from Vallarta’s past; the tchotchkes and paintings deserve a day’s worth of ogling. I loved spotting tiny things perched on crevices in the walls near the low ceiling.
There is a lot I didn’t see, and I’m looking forward to returning and spending more time exploring this short stretch of Vallarta on Basilio Badillo near the tunnel, which is up and coming fast.
The reason we gathered at this red velvet-draped bar was to raise money for Vallarta Cares. Brian Bott put the fundraiser together with some incredible prizes donated by loving and caring Vallartenses like Cassandra Shaw, who not only donated a 1000 peso gift certificate but brought her sister, Candace, and a table full of friends that included Kevin Anthony, Sunny and Rob Rossi, Art and Angela Curley, Georgia Darehshori, and Hardy Madhur. Steven Retchless and Shannon Maracle entertained, among others.
Jimmy Plouff from Vallarta Cares was in attendance. I hope the evening eased a bit of the enormous financial burden that charity has been up against. Find Vallarta Cares on Facebook and see the various ways you can help them continue helping our underserved population. They are so much more than a soup kitchen.
Coming up tonight, from 6 to 8 pm, the City salutes one of its finest and first artists – Javier Niño, who is also celebrating his 75th birthday. Join us at the Presidencia for the ceremony, cake, and new paintings, immediately following the Burlesque -Tied Up performance starring Gloria Fiona, Sargento Dan, Dabit Azofeifa, and Ale Matus at La Catrina Cantina,